easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: That their new SSD is not recognized by the system
A user reports that their new SSD is not recognized by the system. The drive is properly connected and powered. Which UEFI setting should be checked to ensure the drive is detected?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set SATA mode to AHCI or RAID as appropriate
To check the SATA configuration mode. If the SATA controller is set to RAID or AHCI when the drive requires the other, or if it's disabled, the drive may not be detected. This tests understanding of how UEFI/BIOS settings affect hardware enumeration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable Secure Boot
Why it's wrong here
Enabling Secure Boot will not resolve an issue where an SSD is not detected. Secure Boot is a UEFI firmware feature designed to enhance security by preventing unauthorized operating systems and software from loading during the boot process. It operates by verifying the digital signatures of bootloaders and critical system components, but it does not influence the initial hardware detection or initialization of storage devices by the system's SATA controller or BIOS/UEFI firmware.
- ✓
Set SATA mode to AHCI or RAID as appropriate
Why this is correct
Setting the SATA controller mode to AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) or RAID is crucial for modern SSDs. AHCI mode enables advanced features like Native Command Queuing (NCQ) and hot-plugging, which are essential for optimal SSD performance and proper detection by the operating system and BIOS/UEFI. If the SATA controller is configured in an older 'IDE Compatibility' mode, the new SSD may not be recognized at all or may experience significant performance issues, appearing as if it is not present.
- ✗
Disable the TPM chip
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip will not help detect a new SSD. The TPM is a specialized secure cryptoprocessor designed to store cryptographic keys, measure system integrity, and support security features such as BitLocker drive encryption and secure boot processes. Its functionality is entirely distinct from the basic hardware detection and communication protocols used by the system's chipset and firmware to identify connected storage devices.
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Change boot order to list the SSD first
Why it's wrong here
Changing the boot order to list the SSD first will not make an undetected drive appear. The boot order setting in the BIOS/UEFI only dictates which *already detected* storage device the system should attempt to load an operating system from. If the SSD is not being recognized by the system's firmware at a fundamental hardware level, adjusting its position in the boot sequence will have no effect, as the system cannot interact with a device it doesn't perceive as present.
Quick reference
RAID Level Comparison
| RAID Level | Min Disks | Fault Tolerance | Read | Write | Usable Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAID 0 | 2 | None | Excellent | Excellent | 100% |
| RAID 1 | 2 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 50% |
| RAID 5 | 3 | 1 disk | Good | Moderate | 67–94% |
| RAID 6 | 4 | 2 disks | Good | Lower | 50–88% |
| RAID 10 | 4 | 1 disk per mirror | Excellent | Good | 50% |
RAID is not a backup strategy — it protects against disk failure but not against accidental deletion, ransomware, or site-level events.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Laptop Hardware and Components
Key term
Redundant Array of Independent Disks
A technology that combines multiple physical hard drives into a single logical unit to improve performance, reliability, or both.
Key term
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
UEFI is the modern replacement for BIOS that controls how a computer starts up and loads the operating system.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.